An Assessment of the Interface between Al-Shabaab and Insecurity in Kenya
Date
2018-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Daystar University, School of Human and Social Sciences
Abstract
The Horn of Africa countries including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya, have experienced the brunt of al-Shabaab extremist attacks. These nations share a boundary with Somalia, stronghold and base of al-Shabaab operations, and have a predominantly Muslim populations. At the moment, all these countries have their military in Somalia operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In spite of this, statistics reveal that Kenya has suffered continuously from constant attacks, particularly since October 2011 when the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) went to Somalia to contain the al-Shabaab and create a security buffer area. The prevalence of al-Shabaab terror attacks and insecurity in Kenya has been having tremendous negative impacts on the stability, political and socio-economic growth in the country and the region. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Al-Shabaab and insecurity in Kenya. Insecurity in northeast Kenya and the threat from Al-Shabaab have plunged the area into crisis. Its objectives were to explain the root causes of al-Shabaab and insecurity in Kenya, analyse the impacts of the al-Shabaab attacks on Kenya and the region, explain the interface between al-Shabaab and insecurity in Kenya and examine the role of the Operation Linda nchi in dealing with insecurity in Kenya. The study adopted the qualitative research design. It used snow sampling technique to select respondents of the study. Similarly, interviews were used in data collection, where KDF in Karen, and at the DOD in Nairobi and Kahawa in Kiambu were interviewed. In Garissa and Mandela counties participants were employees at the county and others were businessmen, together with locals. My understanding and assessment were that all the targeted people were strategically located in areas where Al Shabaab terror attacks mostly occur, and others were directly involved in the Operation Linda nchi in Somalia territory.
Description
Master of Arts
in International Relations
Keywords
Al-Shabaab, Insecurity, Kenya
Citation
Konya, K. W. S., (2018). An Assessment of the Interface between Al-Shabaab and Insecurity in Kenya. Daystar University, School of Human and Social Sciences